智通财经网·2025-08-21 02:15Core Viewpoint - ZhongAn Online (06060) is currently trading at 1.1x 2025e P/B, with the company maintaining an outperform rating due to better-than-expected trends in virtual banking profitability and underwriting improvements, leading to an upward revision of 2025/2026e EPS forecasts by +12.3%/+13.1% to HKD 0.73/0.83, and an increase in 2025/2026e BVPS by +16.5%/+16.3% to HKD 15.23/16.06, resulting in a target price increase of 9.5% to HKD 23, corresponding to 1.4x 2025e P/B and a potential upside of 22.5% [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - In 1H25, ZhongAn Online reported total premium income growth of +9% year-on-year, with a combined cost ratio (CoR) improvement of -2.3ppt to 95.6%, driven by better-than-expected performance in health and consumer finance underwriting; net profit attributable to shareholders surged +1103.5% to RMB 668 million, exceeding expectations due to underwriting profitability and improved performance from ZhongAn Bank [2] - The underwriting performance showed significant improvement, with 1H25 premium income from ZhongAn Property & Casualty Insurance increasing +9% to RMB 16.66 billion, primarily driven by health (+38%) and auto (+34%) ecosystems, alongside a notable recovery in consumer finance (+24%); CoR improved by 2.3ppt to 95.6%, with underwriting profit growing +109% to RMB 656 million [3] Group 2: Business Segments - The technology business reduced losses, and the virtual bank turned profitable, with total revenue from technology output in 1H25 reaching RMB 496 million, a year-on-year increase of +12.2%; ZA Bank's net income grew +82.1% year-on-year to HKD 457 million, with a cost-to-income ratio improving by 52ppt to 67%, achieving a net profit of HKD 49 million; the company is advised to monitor developments related to stablecoins in Hong Kong and their potential positive impact on ZhongAn Bank's future financial performance [4] - Investment performance remained stable, with net and total investment yields for domestic insurance at 2.1% and 3.3%, respectively; improvements in foreign exchange gains and financial expenses contributed to a net profit increase of +1103.5% to RMB 668 million in 1H25, surpassing expectations [5] Group 3: Future Opportunities - The company is optimistic about the long-term development opportunities in the health insurance sector, driven by product innovation and operational capabilities amid healthcare reform; the company expects its auto insurance segment to achieve both profitability and scale growth, supported by regulatory controls on auto insurance pricing and trends in new energy and internet auto insurance [6]